Proposing to Sarah

As early as last year I knew that 2009 would be the year I proposed to Sarah. A couple months ago I picked out a ring and ordered it. I knew I wanted to get something classic and not to gaudy for Sarah...we live on the Upper East Side of New York and there are just too many women hauling back-breaking rocks around up here. It's a bit much, as we say. I'd actually been ring-shopping since I was in South Africa this summer, but I wanted to wait for late fall since we had some family things going on (namely, my sister's wedding and Sarah's brother's wedding) that I wanted to get past before popping the question.

The funny thing was how I had to play the part of the reluctant bachelor for more than a month in the interim between buying the ring and presenting it to her. For example, we'd be walking down the street and she'd talk about a friend's wedding or something and I'd tell her "quit hocking my chinick!" Which is a transliteration of a Yiddish expression that's more or less like "stop busting my chops." We even joked about that...Sarah would say "I'm honking!" Honk. Honk.

So I got the ring during the week of Thanksgiving, and scoped out a spot where I wanted to propose. I wanted to be outside on a beautiful autumn day...Sarah and I love to take walks in Central Park and enjoy the foliage together. The only problem was that the weather was predicted to be gray and drizzly all week.

Nonetheless, I started hinting a week early that I really wanted to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Sarah had very little interest in doing this and thought it would be boring, so she kept suggesting that we invite friends...and I had to act frustrated and list believable reasons why I wouldn't want to bring them along. Meanwhile, I told her that I'd looked online and identified a perfect vantage point from within Central Park to watch the parade.

The night before Thanksgiving we went to one of our favorite Italian restaurants on the UES called Felice...I had the ring in my pocket and the place is beautiful...I really considered asking her right then. I was excited about just doing it. I didn't want to wait another day. But I held out and stuck to my plan.

On Thanksgiving, I woke up early...obviously a bit excited but I let Sarah sleep in. Then we headed out around 11 am to the park. Lo and behold, the weather cleared up -- it turned into one of those PERFECT New York City autumn days...the sun on the autumn leaves was radiantly golden.

As we walked to the park I had to pretend that we were just meandering, but all along I was guiding us to the spot I'd picked...right by Belvedere Castle, which is the highest point in Central Park. It's really a beautiful spot -- and nestled between the Delacort Theater and the Castle there is the Shakespeare Gardens and The Ramble...which can be wonderfully secluded even on a busy day like Thanksgiving.

We sat for a while on the steps at Belvedere Castle, but there were too many people around. I didn't want to make a spectacle of the moment. So we walked to the other spot just down the path from the castle. Perfect...a beautiful view and no one around at all. And all that autumn sun!

Sarah had an apple in her hand (which is quite typical) when I pulled her over to hug me. I said, "Sarah, I'm so thankful for you. Will you marry me?"

"What?!?!....Yes!" she said.

I held her for another moment and I could tell she was trying to figure out if I was kidding or serious. She started laughing and crying at the same time, which is a trick that girls can do...it's pretty neat. I reached into my jacket and pulled out the ring and her eyes popped. It was an awesome moment.

Then she held out her right hand, which I thought was pretty funny; I guess she was a bit flustered.

Thanksgiving was the perfect day to propose in many ways -- Sarah and I express our gratitude for eachother all the time, so symbolically, it's quite reflective of our relationship. And then, of course, there's the practical matter of calling family. I knew my family would be all together, so I could call them and celebrate with them over the phone. And last but not least, Sarah and I planned to have Thanksgiving dinner with her family in the East Village -- so I knew we could give them the news in person, which was just delightful (though I think we almost gave several family members a heart attack.)

So that's the story...I keep thinking about it and how wonderful that moment was. Sarah's surprise, her happiness, telling our families and friends. Nice.

And yeah, now we're trying to figure when and where to get married...but that's all good. We'll figure it out together.